No Restrictions On University Arts Programmes, Guidelines To Be Improved - Zambry

KOTA KINABALU, April 19 (Bernama) -- The Higher Education Ministry will not impose restrictions on arts and creative programmes at universities following the recent viral performance issue at the University of Malaya (UM), opting instead to improve existing guidelines.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said there was no proposal to take action to curb such programmes, stressing that shutting down or restricting arts-related faculties would be a reactive rather than proactive measure.

“Corrective steps must be taken because we do not want to create sensitivities among the people in our country, which comprises not only different races and religions but also diverse social norms,” he told reporters here today.

He was met after attending the Jom Masuk Universiti Sabah Zone II programme at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), which was also attended by Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin and UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor. 

According to him, enhancing and strengthening existing guidelines would be more effective in addressing such issues, noting that each university already has its own regulations for organising programmes, including those involving artistic elements such as music, film, theatre and acting.

Zambry said UM had also submitted an explanation on the matter, adding that several sensitive aspects required improvement. 

A video depicting an inappropriate scene in a theatre performance at the University of Malaya (UM) has recently gone viral on social media and was widely criticised by netizens as inappropriate and insensitive to local cultural norms.

On another development, Zambry said the ministry, in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry, continuously monitors the welfare of Malaysian students in conflict areas to ensure their safety and well-being.

He said most Malaysian students are currently in Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, while only six have been identified as being in Iran.

“In other Gulf countries such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, there are smaller numbers of Malaysian students and academic staff,” he added.

-- BERNAMA